What You Should Know About Whistleblower Act

| Monday, March 4, 2013
By Ava Hudson


It is an ugly truth how there are injustices within systems. People strive to correct that, and in doing so, there are elements that are required. People need to take action even when doing so can cause threat to an individual. Given that, it really is beneficial that there is that whistleblower act to protect those who seek change geared for the better.

Whistleblower protection act provides statutory protections for a federal employee when he makes a disclosure which would evidence improper or illegal government activities. This applies to most employees of the federal executive branch. When there would be action done for the protected disclosure by one covered employee, WPA would be in effect.

WPA was enacted by congress in 1989 with the intent of strengthening and protecting the rights of the federal employees so that wrongdoing can be eliminated within the government. This is achieved by mandating that personnel will not suffer any adverse consequence from the prohibited practices. Another means is to ensure the protection of the employees subjected to disciplinary actions for the prohibited practices.

There are some considerations to be observe for a WPA to be triggered. Personnel action would need to be taken due to a protected disclosure which was made by the covered employee. A covered employee is either an applicant, current or former employee for an executive branch of the government. Exclusions are also observed like those in positions which has a policy making, confidential, policy determining or policy advocating character. Exclusions from protection of WPA may also be determined by the president.

Any information which a covered employee believes as evidence to violations in rules, laws or regulations as well as waste of funds, gross mismanagement, abuse of authority and danger to the health and safety of the public are known as protected disclosures. WPA would protect employees against retaliations through failing to take or taking personnel action. This would include a wide array of actions which would have some negative impact for the employee.

Recently, WPA has been enhanced. It clarifies the scope of the disclosures that are protected, expanding penalties in the violation of WPA and tightening requirements for a non disclosure agreement. The amendment to the law also establishes an ombudsman for WPA in certain agencies.

This act encourages whistleblowers to come forward. There would be no fear of retaliation as they are protected for the right thing that they do, especially after the enhancement where protections are made more stringent. This can bring light to practices which should not be.

Acts similar to it can lead for better systems within a government. People could rally for the truth and not be punished for it. That would encourage a society to be one who conducts its business in a righteous manner. Citizens may effectively police their government.

This whistleblower act is a few of the many things that empower people. It enables them to hold people who are doing wrong accountable. This will help achieve a fair community where people in the right are not afraid to bring light to what is wrong.




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